MUSINGS and other writing by Mark Kolke

. . . . . . there is no edge to openness

TODAY'S MUSINGS

FEEDBACK / COMMENTS

MARK SPEAKS

MARK'S SPEAKING TIPS

ARCHIVED COLUMNS

ARCHIVE WINTER 2020-21

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2020

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2020

ARCHIVE SPRING 2020

ARCHIVE WINTER 2019-20

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2019

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2019

ARCHIVE SPRING 2019

ARCHIVE WINTER 2018-19

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2018

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2018

ARCHIVE SPRING 2018

ARCHIVE WINTER 2017-18

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2017

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2017

ARCHIVE SPRING 2017

ARCHIVE WINTER 2016/17

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2016

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2016

ARCHIVE SPRING 2016

ARCHIVE WINTER 2015/16

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2015

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2015

ARCHIVE SPRING 2015

ARCHIVE WINTER 2014/15

ARCHIVE AUTUMN 2014

ARCHIVE SUMMER 2014

ARCHIVE SPRING 2014

ARCHIVE WINTER 2013/14

CONTACT

MY REAL ESTATE LIFE

WHY I WRITE MUSINGS

SHORT STORY PROJECT

POETRY PROJECT

SELECTED OTHER WORK

STUFF IN OUR HEAD

Saturday Sept. 29, 2108

Writing is like talking.

We make it up as we go along, much like we do in any free-flowing conversation. Even if we start with an agenda or plan there are countless diversions, distracting “oh, squirrel …” moments. In conversations, our own plan/agenda collides with plans/agendas of others …

To say nothing of those other voices …

In writing, as alone and solitary as that process might be some days for this writer – other voices often  invade beyond din of phone calls, email, routine-disrupting noises and distractions. It’s that ‘stuff in our head’. Pushing back, pushing aside, pushing ‘out of mind’ is not possible, because what is in our head is in our head.

Somebody says or does something, or we have a thought ‘out of the blue’ – then it enters the conversation and takes up its space. Next time you chat with someone – see if you can keep track of how many directions/tangents flowing to/fro  much like a bee with too many flowers urging attention (or man holding TV clicker), whatever interests us in any moment so easily causes us to set aside from our focus whatever next issue, person, thought or flower …

Focusing requires discipline. Helps when there’s a deadline – but what matters significantly is having a passion. Might be that meal you are in the middle of preparing, presentation you are giving or the lap of some race you are running – that’s focus. Nothing can derail you. It’s a unity of body and mind, spirit and purpose.

Yeah, yeah, I know, every thinking person knows these things. Sure, so why do we all have piles and lists and desks that imply we aren’t focused, aren’t committed and we are far from any finish line?

Is it too little focus, too many things we are trying to keep our eyes and mind on?


SIGN UP TO GET MUSINGS BY e-mail: CLICK HERE

SIGN UP TO GET MUSINGS BY e-mail: CLICK HERE

sign up to get Musings free daily


Comments are always welcome - please contribute to the discussion.  Reply to: kolke@markkolke.com

You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. This site is updated daily, each column is retained in the archive when the next day's column is loaded ...  


Copyright - all rights reserved - Mark Kolke, © 2003-2021